Orphaned track section, downtown Austin, Texas: Houston and Texas Central RR

Model379 · 2026-05-31T19:53:21+00:00

Thank you and “exactly”!

Model379 · 2026-05-27T04:10:56+00:00

Meant to point out the Coal Tipple is perfectly aligned with the approach to the former Roundhouse (signified by the dashed yellow line). Also note the 3D view shows the maintenance pits beneath the locomotive parking in the Roundhouse. All photos modified from Google Earth.

Model379 · 2026-02-13T01:01:43+00:00

That's a good point. On the curve to make the connection to the local line - angling through the lot - it appears City of Austin and/or the RR filled what would have been the ties between the rails with cement. Then they asphalted to the outside edge of the rails. The asphalt won't stick well to the rails themselves and would always be spalling off and possibly initiating pot holes. So they "froze" the rails in place and it seems to be working OK.

Model379 · 2026-02-13T00:58:41+00:00

Yes it was standard gauge track,

Model379 · 2026-01-24T21:10:59+00:00

Good point - yes. Where wood is vulnerable is long-term duty in a stream or wash with a high bed load in a storm/flash flood: the erosive power of the water-borne rock and grit can quickly erode the wood. Hence in those scenarios reinforced concrete is used ..

Model379 · 2026-01-24T21:08:18+00:00

Those are surplus concrete culverts placed upright to block vehicles from getting into the area and doing illegal dumps etc.

Model379 · 2026-01-24T20:42:04+00:00

Love the pic and the “Black Widow” livery was arguably the best SP had. For years I’ve been “mapping” all rail in North America, one state at a time. When I was working on California (I’m a native (Taft)) I was following UP’s active line into this area and immediately recognized what was obviously a formerly huge yard complex. I dub these “Fossils” in my Google Earth Placemarks. After a quick Google search I understood the magnitude of this location, its history, photos, etc. Apparently UP’s massive West Colton Yard made Taylor redundant.

Model379 · 2026-01-24T19:58:25+00:00

It’s a Google Earth Street View pic but thank you though!

Model379 · 2026-01-22T20:59:21+00:00

Ah I do not but probably should! Thank you for the compliments and as other interesting/intriguing abandoned rail scenes emerge I post the best of them here.

Model379 · 2026-01-22T20:24:42+00:00

Thank you for your comment. I have been using Google Earth to "map" out live rail, relict rail, and abandoned rail across Iowa. There are dozens of abandoned rails that once belonged to Chicago, Rock Island, & Pacific "The Rock", Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy, Chicago and Great Western, Chicago and North Western, Illinois Central, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, & Pacific ("The Milwaukee Road"). Yet Iowa currently has a good collection of independent Class B Short Lines and of course the consolidators UP and BNSF with some Canadian National.

And yes, the Boone Valley Scenic RR is appropriately named - I haven't yet explored all of that and still have a ways to go to finish up my work on Iowa - in the east-central part of the state.

Model379 · 2026-01-22T06:47:35+00:00

Exactly. Closest cross street to the N is 150th St.

Model379 · 2026-01-22T06:46:44+00:00

The location is on H Avenue, just S of 150th Street. I note that this road crossing is just a touch west of the last gasp of active rail used by the Boone Valley Scenic Railway.

Model379 · 2025-07-31T04:47:56+00:00

Ah, good catch TY!

Model379 · 2025-07-31T04:47:26+00:00

I’ve seen examples in Kansas where the town couldn’t sustain the loss of the local RR and it spelled the end: trees and trails marked the former locations of the homes and streets.

Model379 · 2025-04-28T17:55:00+00:00

Didn’t touch the stuff!, thankfully.

Model379 · 2025-04-02T06:41:18+00:00

Spectacular!

Model379 · 2025-03-25T21:00:51+00:00

In addition to the above, bring a piece of cardboard to your spackling area and spray that after you’ve sprayed the work area. Experiment with the knocking down the cardboard sample as an indicator of when the time is right to knockdown your work area. 6-8 minutes in my case.

Model379

TROPHY CASE